Beltway Insider: Biden/Israel, Bearing Witness, Elections, GOP 2024, Pandas, Tulsa Victim, Music Execs/Rape Allegations

Details: Category: Beltway Insider; Published on Sunday, 12 November 2023 12:04; Written by Janet Walker

President Biden remembered the nations veterans, on this Veteran's Day, as he also honored the five servicemen killed in military operations in the Mediterranean Sea saying, "we once more affirm the sacred obligation," of service to our nation.

The President's job approval rating, according to the website fivethirtyeight.com, for the period ending November 12, 2023 remained constant at 38.7% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness increased by 0.5% to 55.5% of those polled who disapprove of his effectiveness. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated weekly.

Beltway Insider: Biden/Maine, Israel-Palestine War, Refugee Camps Bombed, Hamas Seeks Negotiation, Humanitarian Aid, Mike Johnson

Netanyahu Criticized for Aggressive Tactics

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that the military will continue its battle against Hamas in Gaza with "full force," in a rejection of growing international calls for a ceasefire," reported Euronews.com.

Since the war began six weeks ago, in retaliation for the October 7, 2023, attack, the world has continued to gaslight the IDF on their efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and destroy the Hamas leaders, soldiers and active participants.

The shocking bombing of hospitals and other high civilians' enclaves has the world calling for a cease fire and while more restraint should be shown, and the rules of engagement according to the Geneva Convention should be adhered to, these high populated refugee areas, are exactly the hiding place Hamas would build underground bunkers and war rooms.

Intelligence Reveals Hamas Bigger Plan

As intelligence sources have been reviewing communication prior to the October 7^th attack, snippet of information which details a much wider breech and far-reaching effort to not only attack Israel and the heart of its historical sites, but allies throughout Europe.

"The evidence, described by more than a dozen current and former intelligence and security officials from four Western and Middle Eastern countries, reveals an intention by Hamas planners to strike a blow of historic proportions, in the expectation that their actions would compel an overwhelming Israeli response," reported The Washington Post.

As the state of Palestine is essentially divided into two regions, which are both slowly encroaching on the state of Israel, the region formerly known as the Gaza Strip, which officials claimed was essentially a open-air prison as Gazans living in the Gaza Strip had no access to Palestine living in the West Bank, where the seat of the state of Palestine government has declared as its home.

No travel, even pre-war, was ever permitted through the nation of Israel from one region to the other. The rise of digital communications has bridged the communication gap between the two regions.

However, with the intentional violation of the territorial sovereignty of Israel by Hamas, the likelihood of the Palestine regaining the Gaza Strip is slowly diminishing as Netanyahu has stated "that Gaza will become demilitarized with IDF forces and Israel would regain control of region," Euronews.com reported.

"Bearing Witness" Shown in New York, LA

Gathered from multiple video sources, which include cell phones, home video, and other devices, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) edited together footage that presented the Hamas attack. Many of the scenes have been shown previously. Media representative who screened the film called the film "traumatizing."

"Called Bearing Witness, the 43-minute film was described as featuring "extremely graphic and violent" video footage "documenting the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th, 2023." According to reports, the film includes footage shot by members of Hamas," reported Newsweek.

China, Russia Move into Gaza Void

Chinese President Xi-Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have united to reach out to the Gazans in their time of need effectively setting up an alliance between the disenfranchised Gazan refugees who are looking for a friend in their time of need.

Russia has sent more than 27 tons of Humanitarian aid, and China who is also calling for an end to indiscriminate bombing in the Gaza Strip, has also sent food, medical supplies to the region.

World News: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Intensifies

Hot Button Issues Gauge 2024 Presidential Race

The 2024 Presidential election cycle begins in earnest January 15, 2024, with the Iowa Caucus and the chance for one of the GOP hopefuls to claim the winning title in a bragging rights only sparing match.

For the democrats the only variable in an expected 2024 Presidential victory is the independent bid of Robert K. Kennedy, Jr., who has launched a third-party bid for the presidency. For Kennedy to appear on every primary ballot he will need to advance his campaign the old-fashioned way, in person, grass roots campaigning, and securing signatures.

"The signature gathering requirements in some states are daunting. As an independent, Kennedy will need about 200,000 signatures in California, another 145,000 in Florida and more than 110,000 in Texas, according to a recent analysis of the rules from Richard Winger's Ballot Access News. In Tennessee, by contrast, only 275 signatures are needed," Politico reported.

Kennedy could become the spoiler much like independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who campaigned aggressively against Hillary Clinton, gathering a base of 17 million Americans determined to fight the inauguration of Clinton at any cost and Sander's effective effort, as a election spoiler, divided the party votes brought the GOP to power.

Legalize Recreational Cannabis Use

Ohio voters took to the polls in this off-year election to make a stand for the direction of their state. Democrat or Republican candidates were not at issue. What the voters saw in this always battleground election state are attempts at government to control the citizens.

On the ballot, Issue 2, the recreational use legalization of Marijuana. Voters in the state overwhelming approved the legalization of individuals aged 21 and over to but, grow, and possess cannabis. This law will be enacted in 30 days.

A total of 39 states and the District of Columbia (Washington, DC) now has laws which allow for either medical usage and or legalized recreational use of marijuana. Only 11 states have refused to consider legalization on any level.

Ohio Voters Slapped Back to SCOTUS Abortion

Also on the Ohio Ballot, Issue 1, The Abortion Bill, which allowed the voters of the state to determine if the guaranteed right to an Abortion should be permanently enshrined in the state constitution. At the end of the day voters overwhelmingly voted to support a woman's right to choose her medical care.

The right to an Abortion, or any controversial medical procedure, should be the decision of the individual. When the conservative leaning Supreme court announced a shocking reversal of the 1973 decision that gave women the constitutional right to seek to terminate a pregnancy through abortion, effectively voting to ban a women's right to autonomy in her medical decisions, citizens, who are the background of the political process began grass roots campaign to fight back against the typically white conservative thinking.

"Twenty-one states ban abortion or restrict the procedure earlier in pregnancy than the standard set by Roe v. Wade, which governed reproductive rights for nearly half a century until the Supreme Court overturned the decision last year," The New York Times reported.

GOP States Endorse Dems for Gov

Kentucky, who is home to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul both Republican party stalwarts, went to the polls on Tuesday and overwhelmingly endorsed Democratic Governor Andy Beshear for a second term.

Beshear, who has confronted his share of natural disasters in his state during his first four-year term, won his second term by 4% of the vote, which to pollsters, and political analysts, Kentucky has now become a battle ground state. Aided by the pandemic's great migration relocation, major cities throughout the south have continued to attract more democrat leaning population.

Even in the deep south, where the GOP has ruled for decades is seeing a fracture in the Great Red Wall that formed from South Carolina Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. Leadership within these states is shifting, and with Georgia supporting in more than one election new democratic leadership, the strength of the deep red Republican stronghold remains questionable.

Even as incumbent Republican Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves won reelection, it wasn't an overwhelming defender of the republican ideology. For now, the last bastion of the old red guard is holding steady throughout the deep red south.

World News: Hamas Unprovoked Attack - A Never-Ending Story

GOP Debate – And then There were Three

With the 2024 Presidential election a short 12 months away, and the Iowa and New Hampshire Caucus, the first in the nation gathering of the voters, who through bragging rights only help lead the nation in determining the next GOP candidate.

"We remain committed to maintaining Iowa's cherished first-in-the-nation caucuses and look forward to holding a historic caucus in the coming months and defeating Joe Biden come November 2024," Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said in a July statement when the date was set," reported The Des Moines Register.

While there were five GOP candidates on stage during last week's debate, essentially there were three: Former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

While each of these candidates trail behind former President Donald Trump who is still facing no less than eight legal actions from his time as president, the possibility that one of these three will become the Republican Party Presidential nominee, with a second of the three becoming the Vice-Presidential candidate.

A Trump loyalist would be an ideal candidate and an MVP for the Democrats creating an easy victory.

"Nikki Haley's stock has risen in the Republican Party, and recent polls bolster her claim that she would be the party's strongest general election candidate against President Biden next November. Right now, however, she is on a collision course with Ron DeSantis in a competition that will intensify ahead of January's Iowa caucuses," The Washington Post reported.

Panda Recall Explains U.S. Relations with China

The official breach in U.S.-Chinese relations became evident this week, when Chinese officials recalled two of their most effective ambassadors, Panda's Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and their 3 year old, Xiao Qi Ji, boarded a 747 to Beijing.

"Panda diplomacy here began when Patricia Nixon, the first lady, mentioned her fondness for pandas — "I love them" — to China's premier, Zhou Enlai, during the landmark visit she and President Richard M. Nixon made to Beijing in 1972. Within two months, China had sent a female and a male panda, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, to the National Zoo. The panda presence in Washington has persisted ever since as a symbol of the ties between the United States and China," The New York Times reported.

Coronavirus Totals

The CDC has recommended every person from age six months, including senior citizens, should receive at least one shot of an updated covid vaccine.

Mandates have been altered or lifted in most urban areas with limited exceptions, and the population is encouraged to maintain personal protective practices. Masks are optional and tolerated. Vaccines and boosters are still considered the most effective agents against contracting the Coronavirus.

For the 7-day period ending November 12, 2023, the total of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide reached 771,820,937 confirmed cases, an increase over the past 7 days of 141,319 cases worldwide. The total worldwide death toll increased by 1,152 to 6,978,175 deaths. The United States has stopped providing Covid data to the World Health Organization. (Data updated November 8, 2023, from The World Health Organization).

COVID U.S. Totals

As hospitalizations and infection rates continue to rise in the United States, some jurisdictions are suggesting new mask mandates. For the 7-day period ending November 12, 2023, new Covid hospitalizations in the U.S. increased by 15,745 to 6,468,577. The coronavirus has claimed 1,151,749 total U.S. deaths, adding 314 deaths, over the past week. (Data updated October 28, 2023, posted November 6, 2023, from the CDC).

Music Executives Face Rape Allegations

In what seems like deja'vu, aided by New York States Adult Survivor law, and the courageous action of victims who are refusing to remain silent, two music executives, former Grammy Chief Neil Portnow, and music producer Antonio "LA" Reid, have each been hit with lawsuits over alleged rapes that occurred in New York State.

Hollywood Week: SAG/AFTRA, Studios Settle Strike, Grammy’s Announced, Music Execs Face Rape Accusations, Box Office

Tulsa Race Massacre Victim Seeks Justice

The Black Lives Matter movement, which took swelled after the murder of George Floyd, shaped the national conversation unearthing a secret so insidious that over a century of politicians, time, local, state, and national leaders, have passive aggressively continue the injustice of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre that has left one woman, now 109 years old, seeking the impossible. She wants justice.

Lessie Benningfield Randle was 6 years old, when an angry white mob ambushed a neighborhood, exacting revenge, as the white mob angry over the many things, including the ability of this community to be independent, to earn their own money, to escape slavery, and more to not need the support of the white community. Money, and the ability to be self-sufficient, causes more jealousy, fits of rage, violence and murder than are recorded.

"The rioters, including men deputized by the civil officials, eventually descended on Greenwood, a neighborhood so self-reliant that it had become known as Black Wall Street. Within two days it was gone, 35 blocks burned to the ground. Neighbors were dead or missing. Buildings were reduced to rubble. The toll was staggering: up to 300 dead, at least 8,000 suddenly homeless and nearly 1,500 homes burned or looted," The New York Times reported.

For more than a century, Oklahoma politicians have denied responsibility for the actions of those preparators of these heinous crimes and still the two surviving members, and the estate of the third, fight on hoping that the pendulum will finally swing their way and justice will be exacted.

For more information on President Joe Biden w ww.whitehouse.gov.